Talk about a great sendoff

By KEVIN THOMAS, Portland Press Herald Writer

Copyright © 2004 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.

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	Associated Press Kevin Brown of the Yankees heads to the dugout after going just two-thirds of an inning in his first start since breaking his hand Sept. 3. Brown gave up four runs on six hits.
	Associated Press Yankees Manager Joe Torre has lots to think about after watching the Red Sox rough up his starter, Kevin Brown.
	Associated Press Curt Schilling cruises through seven innings, allowing just one hit and leaving with an 11-2 lead in Boston's 11-4 win over the Yankees on Sunday.
	TODAY'S GAME WHO: Red Sox (Arroyo 9-9) at Tampa Bay Devil Rays (Kazmir 2-2) WHEN: 7:15 p.m. TELEVISION: NESN MAGIC NUMBER: One. A Boston win or a Texas loss puts the Red Sox in the playoffs as the wild card. To top of story

BOSTON — Kevin Brown pitched his first game for the Yankees in three weeks Sunday. And another wall was in danger of a beating. Brown, a right-hander who broke his left hand when he punched a wall in frustration on Sept. 3, did not lighten his mood any as the Boston Red Sox pounded balls against the left-field wall at Fenway Park on their way to a 11-4 victory over New York.

Curt Schilling (21-5) allowed just one hit over seven innings to silence the Yankees.

Boston knocked Brown (10-5) out in the first inning with four runs and six hits, including three doubles off the Green Monster in left.

Then the Red Sox took a 7-0 lead in the second inning off exiled starter Esteban Loaiza.

"Our offense took a lot of suspense out of this game early," Schilling said.

The win, coupled with Texas' loss to Seattle, reduced Boston's magic number for clinching a playoff spot to one. The Red Sox could be celebrating tonight after they play the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, assuming the Sox can get to St. Petersburg today in the aftermath of Hurricane Jeanne.

The nagging question is not whether the Red Sox will get into the playoffs, but whether it's worth thinking about the American League East title again. Boston is 3 1/2 games behind New York, three back in the loss column. The Yankees have six remaining games, three home against Minnesota and three at Toronto.

"It's out of our hands," Schilling said. "We've got to take care of our games and see what happens with theirs."

While the Yankees pitching has looked miserable the past two days and a collapse is the stuff Sox fans dream of, the Yankees have their three most reliable starters for the Twins series: Orlando Hernandez, Jon Lieber and Mike Mussina.

The Yankees are still counting on Brown, but he obviously didn't help Sunday.

"The only way you're going to find out about (Brown) is to put him out there," Yankees Manager Joe Torre said. "He wasn't too good today."

Among the offensive leaders for Boston were Manny Ramirez (two doubles, RBI), Trot Nixon (two RBI), Jason Varitek (two RBI), Bill Mueller (home run) and Mark Bellhorn (3 for 5).

A seven-run lead was plenty for Schilling, the winningest pitcher in the majors. Schilling won his ninth straight decision, striking out six. He retired his first 10 batters.

Schilling did give Red Sox fans reason to worry when he walked the bases loaded on 12 pitches in the fourth inning. Jorge Posada singled just beyond Schilling's reach, closing the Yankees to 7-2.

"I should have caught it," Schilling said.

After he got out of the inning by taking a toss from first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz while covering the base on a grounder, Schilling slammed down the ball in anger.

"I was (upset)," Schilling said. "That inning should never have gotten to that point. With that offense and that team, you don't ever want them to think they are in the game when your offense puts them away early.

"I don't know what happened (to his control). The last time I did that, it was the umpire's fault. This time, it wasn't.

After Posada's single, Schilling retired nine in a row. When he got Miguel Cairo on a fly ball to end the seventh, Schilling walked off the mound to a standing ovation. He was done after 103 pitches with Boston leading, 11-2.

"Besides those 12 pitches in the fourth inning where it looked like he caught amnesia, I thought he was (Schilling), which is exactly what we're looking for," Boston Manager Terry Francona said.

The excitement was not over. In the eighth, Boston reliever Pedro Astacio threw a 2-0 pitch behind Kenny Lofton, who earlier had a run-in with Mientkiewicz at first base. Astacio was ejected.

In the bottom of the inning, Brad Halsey threw at Dave Roberts. Roberts took a step toward the mound, the benches and bullpens emptied, and everyone stared at each other. Halsey and Torre were ejected.

The incident provided a little more spice for a rivalry finished for the regular season, but it will continue - maybe as soon as October.

Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at:

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